Tanushree Basuroy
Research expert covering India
Content regulation in India - statistics & facts
Millions of posts, videos, comments, and tweets are being shared across India every minute. Besides that, content in audio and video formats, online and offline, in print or on screens is being churned out steadily. This presents a daunting task for regulatory authorities to ensure the safety of almost a billion users as they hurtle along at breakneck speeds to explore cyberspace.
Digitalization has been at the top of the government’s agenda to launch the country into the international arena of technologically advanced economies. The development of digital and internet infrastructure in India has come a long way with a majority of the population in both urban and rural areas having access to the internet at affordable rates.
Content moderation includes but is not limited to the internet and social media. In recent years, advertising across digital and traditional formats has witnessed a rise in complaints. The Advertising Security Council of India (ASCI), a non-governmental regulatory body, encountered several violations of its guidelines, particularly across digital media. Another front where content regulation is frequently exercised is the film industry. The Central Board of Film Certification is responsible for approving films for the silver screen and suggesting edits to make them more viewer-appropriate. Several films have been banned in India on the grounds of explicit language, sexual content, or inciting religious and communal hatred.
In 2023, the government also banned a BBC documentary focused on the prime minister Narendra Modi among several other moves to silence its critics. While instilling global outrage, India’s predicament aligned with those of several other nations that contributed to declining civil and media freedom worldwide.
The need for content moderation
But with great power comes great responsibility. This unbridled access with limited understanding of cyberspace and inadequate cyber laws, has exposed internet users to a tidal wave of fake news, misinformation, illegal websites, online fraud, hate speech, and other cybercrimes. The Information Act of 2000 has been India’s primary legislation on countering cyber threats, protecting data, and maintaining cyber safety. Over the years, various agencies and non-government bodies were set up to protect consumer and user rights as well as moderate content in India.Content moderation includes but is not limited to the internet and social media. In recent years, advertising across digital and traditional formats has witnessed a rise in complaints. The Advertising Security Council of India (ASCI), a non-governmental regulatory body, encountered several violations of its guidelines, particularly across digital media. Another front where content regulation is frequently exercised is the film industry. The Central Board of Film Certification is responsible for approving films for the silver screen and suggesting edits to make them more viewer-appropriate. Several films have been banned in India on the grounds of explicit language, sexual content, or inciting religious and communal hatred.
Content regulation or censorship?
Besides this, India has often been at the center of controversial instances of content regulation. Since the Modi-government came to power in 2014, civil liberties such as freedom of expression, freedom on the internet, and press freedom have steadily declined. India leads the number of internet shutdowns in the world. Media rights violations have also risen with journalists being attacked and imprisoned, and raids under vague allegations being carried out in news offices.In 2023, the government also banned a BBC documentary focused on the prime minister Narendra Modi among several other moves to silence its critics. While instilling global outrage, India’s predicament aligned with those of several other nations that contributed to declining civil and media freedom worldwide.
